Welwyn Hatfield completes the 10 year challenge

February 10, 2019

By Chloe Sladden Turner

In recent years, Welwyn Hatfield has changed a lot compared to how it looked ten years ago, back in 2008. The Welwyn Hatfield Times article by Mia Jankowicz gives an insight into how the towns surrounding the University of Hertfordshire have changed over time.

However, Mia Jankowicz has said in the article, that: “Whether the changes are for the better or for the worse is still a matter of debate in some cases”.

Queensway House: 2008

Queensway House: 2018

The Hatfield Development Corporation built the housing block, in 1962 after a New Towns initiative was made, after the war. Since its construction, Queensway has been given new and safer cladding, especially after it got a new look in 2012 and the classing was deemed unsafe in 2015.

The Stanborough Boat Roundabout: 2008

The Stanborough Boat Roundabout: 2019

The Boat has slowly been degrading, since 2007, where it had been better days. This is despite the £6,000 refurbishment, that was assigned to the boat only a few years ago.

Hatfield Train Station: 2008

Hatfield Train Station: 2018

The Train station was a lot smaller and plain, compared to now. The reason behind this is the £9 million refurbishment, given to it, back in 2012.

Woodhall Shops: 2009

Woodhall Shops: 2018

The street the shops are on, Cold Green Lane, saw one of its shops opened back in 1938. Sadly, the shop is now gone and has been replaced with a co-op.

Howardsgate: 2008

Howardsgate: 2018

This area in Welwyn Garden City has been many shops come and go, with the old Cube clothing shop now being a CEX DVD, gaming and technology selling-and-buying shop.

Former Shredded Wheat Factory: 2008

Former Shredded Wheat Factory: 2018

This iconic building back in 2008, was built in the 1920s and was well known in Welwyn Garden City. Although, it is now being developed to create 1, 454 homes and some retail units, while last year, some areas were demolished.

QEII Hospital: 2009

QE11 Hospital: 2018

On 22nd July 1963, this hospital was opened by its namesake, HM Queen Elizabeth II, but it was closed in 2014 to the shock of some people, after key services moved to Stevenage Lister’s Hospital in 2013.

Bishop Hatfield Girls School: 2009

Bishop Hatfield Girls Schools: 2019

In 2017, the building was replaced with new sporting, performing arts and social areas in the school, amongst others.

It appears Welwyn Hatfield has indeed changed in both good ways and bad ways, compared to how it looked ten years ago.